Transcript: Left Guard Justin Pugh

G Justin Pugh

August 20, 2015

Q: Are you and Odell comparing dental notes?

A: Yeah. It was a long process trying to figure out how to fix it. I fractured my back molar, so it got infected. It was no good.

Q: You fractured it?

A: Yeah, I had a fracture in my back right molar.

Q: You just did it?

A: I did it probably six months ago. They kept telling me I was grinding my teeth. I had to wear a night guard, it was ridiculous. Then they find found out once it got infected that there was probably something wrong with it more than just grinding my teeth. I had to go to an oral surgeon to get the image they needed to finally see. So they took the tooth out, put a bone graft in and all this stuff. I didn’t know you could do all that.

Q: Doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.

A: It wasn’t fun. Now, there’s like stitches, so they wanted to keep me out just to make sure the stitches healed up well and it wasn’t a reoccurring problem.

Q: So you’d rather go through two-a-days?

A: I’d rather practice than go get teeth pulled and not have a back right molar for two months.

Q: Do you expect to be back today?

A: Yeah.

Q: Where do you guys stand as an offensive line in your mind? You’ve still been switching around a little bit.

A: I think we’re healthier now than we’ve been. We’ve got some things going in the right direction, we have competition now. With (Geoff) Schwartz coming back, me getting back into the mix today, it’s going to be good. I think it’s going to bring out the best, and I think it’s going to bring out the best in this offensive line. We’re seeing some things and executing some things that gave us trouble earlier in camp. So we’re definitely heading in the right direction and I’m excited to see the progress we make from here on out. It’s going to be fun.

Q: Have you guys seen any pieces fall into place? Like this guy is set here, that kind of thing.

A: You never want to say someone is set here, because something could always happen and someone has to step up. I feel like we have more than five guys right now who could go out there and win us games on Sunday’s. So that’s exciting. And I think we’re having a lot of fun right now in the offensive line room. It’s a good attitude, it’s a good atmosphere, and I think it’s going to show when we play with each other. I think this is a very tight group, and it’s going to pay dividends.

Q: For the good work you’ve done, how frustrating was the game performance when you kind of did nothing?

A: Yeah, it was tough, because there was some things that we executed well—some line stunts that we picked up and it was very close to hitting. You can see how close, a matter of inches can make the difference in the game. We got ourselves behind with some penalties. So there’s a few things that if we eliminate, we’re going to be fine. I think we saw that in that nice drive we had later on in the game. Obviously, it wasn’t against their first-string defense. But the game is a not a set in stone, one quarter defines a game. It’s a long game and who knows where it would have been later down the road. So I think we’re going to progress and do well.

Q: Do you think you’re a left guard now, or do you think that could still shift?

A: I think whenever I step on the field, wherever they tell me to play, that’s what I am. So I’ve gone out there, and playing left guard, I feel very, very comfortable there. If I have to slide to left tackle or play right tackle, right guard, center—I always go back to David Diehl. You have to be able to play whatever they tell you to play and execute at a level that can win in the NFL.

Q: Do you feel more comfortable at left guard though?

A: I definitely feel very comfortable at left guard. It was great to go out and play against Cincinnati, who is such a good D Line. To play against those guys, it was huge for me. So I’m excited to go against Jacksonville, they’ve got some good guys. And to just keep getting better, keep fixing things. I saw Chris Snee yesterday, he saw a few things, and we were talking about it yesterday before I went on the field. So it’s always good to have those guys having their eyes on me and my play.